Tamil Nadu Civic Polls Live News Updates: Campaigning ends, anticipation begins

Eight AIADMK MLAs, including Ex-Minister S P Velumani and Former Deputy speaker Pollachi Jayaraman, who were protesting outside the Coimbatore collector office since morning was allegedly manhandled and arrested.

The AIADMK leaders had been staging protests and claiming that the ruling DMK had deployed rowdies and criminals in Western Tamil Nadu to resort to booth capturing and prevent ADMK candidates from entering polling booths. 

To note, Western Tamil Nadu (Kongu region) is the only part of the state where the DMK has not been able to defeat the AIADMK since the last 3 assembly elections.

According to reports, AIADMK has given a complaint to Election Commission stating they have information on the DMK planning to resort to booth capturing.

The AIADMK held protests in Coimbatore alleging irregularities in the election process. AIADMK cadres staged a sit-in protest at the Coimbatore district Collector's office to protest

Former AIADMK minister SP Velumani alleged that rowdies and gundas from various other districts have been brought to Coimbatore to target AIADMK cadres.

The AIADMK leader also sought the deployment of paramilitary forces during the polling.

A day before the Tamil Nadu local body polls, a cash-for-votes scandal has erupted with the All India Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam releasing a video of money being distributed on behalf of 29th ward DMK candidate Kamaal Mustafa in Trichy.

Even though the AIADMK is yet to officially file a complaint, ADMK advocate Babu Murugavel alleged that several such complaints have been filed in many such incidents earlier. "But no action taken and money distribution continues," he claimed.

Over 1.33 lakh officials will be engaged in polling duty on Saturday.

According to reports, over 80000 police personnel will be deployed to ensure peaceful voting at booths and security of Electronic Voting Machines.

Voting will get underway at 7am. The counting of votes will be taken up on February 22.

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam candidate Geetha Subramaniyan joined the rival Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam on Thursday morning.

Geetha was the ADMK candidate for Thyagathurugam municipality 9th ward.

The campaigning for the urban civic polls in Tamil Nadu concluded on Thursday.

The last 10 days saw an all-out campaign by candidates from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and other parties.

The last election for corporations, municipalities and town panchayats was held in 2011 during the AIADMK regime